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Patton Oswalt: Making SERENITY’s WASH the “Anti-Han Solo”

By Zack Smith

Fans of Joss Whedon’s Firefly have gotten the chance to learn more about their favorite characters in Dark Horse’s Whedon-approved comics. This June, we’ll get to learn more about Serernity pilot Hoban “Wash” Washburne in Serenity: Float Out, a tale where the “leaf on the wind”’s friends come together to recall tales from his storied life.

Float Out’s script is by noted comedian, actor and genre fan Patton Oswalt (the art is by Patric Reynolds). Oswalt is quickly becoming a ubiquitous presence in film and TV; in addition to his star turn in the black comedy Big Fan, and his latest album, My Weakness is Strong, this past year has seen him do guest and recurring roles on Caprica, Dollhouse, The United States of Tara, Community, The Sarah Silverman Program, The Venture Brothers, Flight of the Conchords and more.

He’s also a major fan of comics and film who occasionally writes about his favorite works online, and hosts screenings and panels at such events as Comic-Con. Oswalt’s talked to Newsarama a few times in the past about his comic and TV work, and when he had a few minutes out of his busy schedule, he took some time to chat Float Out with us. Along the way, we also discussed his thoughts on comics and TV, and the evolving state of popular culture from someone with a unique perspective as a creator and fan.

It’s Raining Supernatural Cats & Dogs at Dark Horse

By Zack Smith

Dark Horse Comics is known for their fan-favorite supernatural books, from the over-the-top zombie-whupping of The Goon to the world-threatening menaces battled by Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.. But these supernatural heroes aren’t exactly into two-fisted action…in fact, they don’t even have fists.

Though best-known for such raucous comedy books as Dork! and Milk and Cheese, Evan Dorkin revealed a scarier side to his oeuvre in the award-winning short story “Stray” with Jill Thompson. That tale of pets solving a supernatural mystery led to a series of follow-ups within anthologies, and now the new four-issue miniseries Beasts of Burden. Each self-contained issue leads the animals of Burden into a new mystical mystery full of murders, monsters, mayhem and menace. And if you haven’t read the original short stories, they’re online on Dark Horse’s website.

We got Dorkin on the phone to explain this tale of paranormal pets to us. The highlights of our conversation follow, touching on everything from death in comics to his collaboration to Jill Thompson to why, despite appearances, this is not an all ages-book.

Land & the Fillbachs on Werewolves on the Moon vs. Vampires

By Zack Smith

It was a quiet day on Moonbase Alpha…until they showed up. Hairy, savage, out-of-control wolf-men bent on destruction. And just as the moon-cops had them subdued, they found their problems were just beginning…that a gang of ruthless bloodsuckers were also up there. Now, the battle has begun…a battle that could only be called…Werewolves on the Moon vs. Vampires.

With the second issue of Dark Horse’s miniseries hitting shelves on July 15, writer Dave Land and artists the Filbach Brothers let us know the origins of this epic conflict, and made a good number of references to a 1970s sci-fi show.